Jazzing Minor Pentatonics

Since relative major and minors contain the same notes only minor scales need be used. All one needs to do is know where to find them all over the neck. The fingerings I give are only one way to play them. This includes the sliding pentatonic scales.

For every type of chord there is a corresponding scale. This lesson begins with the pentatonics over major chords.

(If you can't hear anything set the loop to '4 times' and hopefully you will. The sound should be 'Elec Jazz')

Starting with a C6 chord, the notes in it are CEGA, the A being the 6th. All these notes are found in the Am pentatonic scale, so that can be used over a C6. It can also be used over a C69.

The notes of a Cmaj7 are CEGB. Those 'top' three notes spell out an Em chord, so that can be used. Cmaj9 incidentally also contains a D, also found within the Em pentatonic.

The other type of major chord is #4 or #11. The notes are CEGBDF#. Here the Bm pentatonic is used because it contains the notes BDEF#. This gives the lydian feel.

The other pentatonic you can use, of course, is Cm which will give the familiar blues sound.

These examples are below. You'll notice I also use the b5 (blue note) of all the scales. They give you one more note to play with and adds to the excitement...